Macau: Series qualifying report

HUFF WINS POLE IN QUALIFYING DRAMA
Robert Huff took pole position in a dramatic final qualifying session of
the season. Andy Priaulx took second and Augusto Farfus third. Both SEAT
title contenders, Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini, had huge ...

HUFF WINS POLE IN QUALIFYING DRAMA

Robert Huff took pole position in a dramatic final qualifying session of
the season. Andy Priaulx took second and Augusto Farfus third. Both SEAT
title contenders, Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini, had huge crashes in
Q2 and will line up seventh and eighth respectively if their cars can be
repaired.

Q1 - As expected in such a crucial qualifying, the teams hit the track in
groups to benefit from slipstreaming.

D'Aste was the first to make a mistake and did so after the Solitude
Esses. He hit the wall and his car stayed on the track for the remainder
of the session. Meanwhile, Yvan had a spell at the top while Huff was
also on the pace. Farfus was sitting tenth before he and Priaulx had a
hot lap and the Brazilian took himself to eighth and the Briton to sixth.
A final surge by team SEAT saw all five cars in Q2, however Rydell's car
suffered engine problems at the end of session and stopped on the track.
The session ended in drama as James Thompson smashed into the back of
D'Aste's stationary car. He was taken to hospital for check-ups.

Zanardi and Larini narrowly missed out on Q2 appearances. Tom Coronel was
the fastest Independent taking 13th on the grid followed by rival
Porteiro 14th and local man Couto 16th.

Q2 - Within five minutes, two of the championship fighters had crashed.

Tarquini and Muller were in close contact when they encountered the oil
left from Thompson's earlier collision and it sent them spinning. The
cars were both too damaged to continue and Muller was also taken to
hospital for check-ups. Menu was behind the SEAT duo and also obtained
damage. Although the team tried to make the Cruze track-worthy in time he
could not clock a lap time. As the night was falling, Huff completed a
lap of 2:32.141 that ousted Priaulx and Farfus to second and third, while
Gene took fourth ahead of Monteiro and Muller.